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Engaging in unfunny business

There's an energetic new cheerleader group called: USA ENGAGE! Remember the name, because this perky bunch wants you to know how essential it is for our country to "engage" every other nation in the world, no matter how much we might disapprove of their dictatorial abuses. Upset with the repressive and repugnant military dictatorship of Burma, which stole democracy from its own people and now rules by rape, murder, terror and torture? Don't be upset ... Engage! The Butchers of Beijing turn you off? Hey -- don't criticize -- Engage! Lest you think this is some sappy, left-wing, "We Are the World," feel-good, humanitarian group -- let me call the roll of some of the members of USA ENGAGE: American Express, ARCO, AT&T, BankAmerica, Boeing, Caterpillar, Chase Manhattan, Chrysler, etc., etc., etc. This one-world pep group consists of 632 corporate entities that are so determined to "engage" every nation in trade that the group wants to make it illegal for your city council or your state legislature to pass any law that would impede business engagements with even the most disgusting governments. For example, several sovereign states, plus 27 counties and cities, have adopted purchasing rules that say they will not buy products from corporations that do business with such inhumane regimes as Burma and China. It's this local and state expression of the people's will that USA ENGAGE wants to outlaw. This corporate coalition claims that only the federal government can make such rules, so it's pushing a bill by Sen. Richard Lugar to crack down on states and cities that pass such sanctions. To stand up for state and local rights, tell Sen. Lugar what you think about his bill and USA ENGAGE. Lugar's number is (202) 224-4814.